Here's a link to a question and answer interview on Frank Lloyd Wright's religious architecture with Joseph Siry, author of the new book on Wright's Beth Sholom Synagogue. Read it here.
Image via wesleyan.edu
Books & Multimedia
The Reviews Are In
Mark Hertzberg has posted a bevvy of new reviews over at his blog, Wright in Racine. They include reviews of Patrick Mahoney's new book about the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Davidson House; Randy Henning's 2011 book about Alfred Browning Parker's work; Roland Reisley's 2001 "Usonia" book, and a link to a demo of Tim Sakamoto's iPad app. Read them all here.
Image credit: Cindy Hertzberg
Book Illuminates Beth Sholom
Here's a link to an article about the new book written by Wright-historian Joseph M. Siry titled Beth Sholom Synagogue: Frank Lloyd Wright and Modern Religious Architecture that details and lavishly illustrates the story of Wright's only executed synagogue design. Read more here.
Image via Amazon.com
BANDmade's Piece of Cake
The special packaging edition of the band CAKE's single "Bound Away" was recently featured in the newest issue of HOW magazine. After reading the magazine snippet, I went over to the website for BANDmade Books to learn more of how they worked with CAKE to handmake each copy of this lovely music package. See how it was made here and order your copy here.
Image via store.cakemusic.com
Read About Wright's Davidson House
Patrick J. Mahoney, AIA, NCARB and President of Graycliff Conservancy Inc. gave us the heads-up that his new book on Frank Lloyd Wright is just in from the printers. The book is titled Frank Lloyd Wright’s Walter V. Davidson house: An Examination of a Buffalo Home and Its Cousins from Coast to Coast. Learn more after the jump...
Wright Books For Sale
Former Taliesin Apprentice, Quinn Schipper, wanted PrairieMod readers to know that he has an extensive selection of Frank Lloyd Wright-related books for sale at his website. Check out the offerings here.
Image via books.schipp.co
Book Review: Under Arizona Skies & Frank Lloyd Wright Quotations
Good things come in small packages. That adage turns out to be doubly true with respect to two new Frank Lloyd Wright-related books recently published by Pomegranate: Under Arizona Skies: The Apprentice Desert Shelters at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer and Victor Sidy and Frank Lloyd Wright on Architecture, Nature, and the Human Spirit: A Collection of Quotations edited by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer. Read more about each of them after the jump...
Continue reading "Book Review: Under Arizona Skies & Frank Lloyd Wright Quotations" »
Book Review: The Architecture Of Alfred Browning Parker
Unless you are deeply interested in Organic design and are steeped in the history of America's important Modernist architects, it is a sad fact that you probably have not heard of Alfred Browning Parker. Luckily, the new book by Randolph C. Henning, The Architecture of Alfred Browning Parker: Miami's Maverick Modernist, places the life, philosophy and work of this mid-twentieth-century architectural icon squarely into the spot light where it belongs. Read more after the jump...
Continue reading "Book Review: The Architecture Of Alfred Browning Parker" »
New NYC Architecture & Design Book Store
If you're in the NYC area, check out Van Alen Books, "New York City's new center for architecture and design publications, where books are read, sold, discovered, and discussed." Looks like their opening party last week was a big success. There's a public reading room on the sixth floor for browsing.
Image copyright Van Alen Institute
Get Your Lost Buildings Here
One of the best architecture-related DVDs I've ever gotten was "Lost Buildings," a special collaboration between NPR's "This American Life" and illustrator Chris Ware.
It tells the fascinating and touching story of Tim Samuelson (now the Cultural Historian for the City of Chicago), his passion for Louis Sullivan's architecture and his friendship with preservationist/photographer Richard Nickel.
The DVD comes packaged inside a stunning 100-page book, designed by Chris Ware, and filled with photos of the Louis Sullivan buildings mentioned in the story. Do yourself a favor and get a copy here.
Image via store.thisamericanlife.org
iTASCHEN
Don't worry book fans, TASCHEN is not getting out of the book business. But they have looked to new technology to experiment with new ways to share their books with customers. That's why TASCHEN recently announce its first two iPad apps: the Fall/Winter 2010 Magazine and the architecture comic book Yes is More. More info at TASCHEN's website.
Image via TASCHEN
Seen This Site?
I came across the Loving Frank website today and was surprised to see all of the architectural-inspired Flash animation and photos of Wright buildings. Explore a little here.
Image copyright Random House
Alexander Girard by House Industries!
House Industries presents a suite of Alexander Girard fonts and objects. Learn more here, then shop Girard & watch the film.
Image copyright House Industries
PBS's Charlie Rose... Architect?
If you are like me, you spend your lunch hour or your free time "Googling" architects, art, architecture, etc. I recently found some excellent interviews with the great Architects of the "television age" interviewed by Charlie Rose. Below are just a few:
Typeface Design Video on You Tube
I found this television interview about typeface design with Steven Heller, Jonathan Hoelfler and Tobias Frere-Jones on You Tube. Click here to view it.
Image copyright ligaturejim
Splendid Table Event at Room & Board on YouTube
Our friends at Room & Board were kind enough to put videos of the Splendid Table Event up on YouTube. I've watched the first one and getting ready to watch the other ones. Wish I would have gone to the event, but this is the next best thing.
Image copyright Room & Board
Mad Simpsons
For those of you who are fans of both Mad Men and the Simpsons, this spoof will probably make your day. Funny stuff.
Image copyright Fox Broadcasting Company
More Noble Room Book Info
Following-up on my previous post about the new book on Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple: The publisher of The Noble Room has put up more info on their website, including an excerpt. Check it out by following the link.
Image copyright Top Five Books
The Noble Room
A brand new hardcover book is coming in December 2008 that covers the complete story of how Wright's Modern Masterpiece, Unity Temple, was born. Learn all about it after the jump...
Frank Lloyd Wright: The Buildings
I'm eagerly anticipating the release of Frank Lloyd Wright: The Buildings by Alan Hess and Alan Weintraub. Here's a sneak peek at what can be expected...
Wright's Gardens
A new book titled Gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright by Derek Fell is scheduled to be released in March 2009. Read more about it after the jump...
Arts & Architecture All Boxed Up
Hennessey + Ingalls Books and Taschen are coming out with a complete facsimile edition of John Entenza's
groundbreaking magazine, Art & Architecture, which launched the Case Study House Program. The first part (1945-1954) ten boxes, each containing one year's worth of magazines. Check it out by following the link.
Image copyright Hennessey + Ingalls Books and Taschen
Sutton House Book Announced
A recent article in the McCook Daily Gazette discusses the upcoming book about the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in Nebraska, the Sutton House. Donald Morgen and John Altberg have studied the history and architecture of the house extensively and are ready to publish a book about it which should be out by the end of the year. Read the article by following the link.
Photo courtesy of the McCook Daily Gazette
How To Order The John Randal McDonald Book
Here's some info of special note for people interested in the work of Organic Architect, John Randal McDonald. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of Brian Beno’s Book on JRMcD, please email Tim Melchert at tmelchert@wi.rr.com or call him at 414-540-9456. The cost will be approximately $20 for printing and mailing. I'm going to order mine!
Image copyright pwp2.com
Le Corbusier Le Grand Book
I.D. Magazine has an interview with Phaidon Press publisher Richard Schlagman about their new Le Corbusier Le Grand book. The book was released Aug. 4 for $200.
Image Copyright Phaidon Press
Design Matters
It's no secret that I love books. I also love design. So it stands to reason that books about design are always of special interest to me! Rockport publishes several of the best in the business. I'm an especially big fan of the Design Matters series they put out. These are extremely well designed books that contain a mountain of great information about topics such as logos, brochures and packaging design. You can check out all of Rockport's titles here.
Photo copyright Rockport
Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones
Because I've been on an Amy Butler kick lately, I can already hear my fellow PrairieMod Squad peeps chuckling as they read this. But, if you love crafting and little kids...this is a must see.
Amy Butler has just released her new book Little Stitches for Little Ones via her online store and it seems like it is packed full of projects to aid in the creation of special gifts for the tiny ones in your life.
I have to say, this stuff looks pretty tight. BabyMod is going to a whole new level here!
Image copyright Amy Butler Design
An Interview With Brandoch Peters
Wright In Racine.com has a new post reviewing a new DVD called Frank Lloyd Wright and His Inner Circle: A Grandson's View.
The grandson is Brandoch Peters—son of Taliesin apprentice, William Wesley Peters and Wright's adoptive daughter, Svetlana Hinzenburg. It looks like an interesting view of what life was like inside the limestone walls of Taliesin. To read more, follow the link.
Image courtesy of Wright In Racine
Mobile Mystery
You don't have to be young--only young-at-heart to enjoy Blue Balliett's wonderful books involving art world mystery's and the kid detectives that solve them. After the success of Chasing Vermeer and The Wright 3 (which features the Robie House in Hyde Park, IL), Balliett's new book takes on a very moving subject: Alexander Calder's mobiles.
A recent Newsweek.com article caught-up with the author to discuss her new book, The Calder Game and where her inspiration came from. Check out the article by following the link. Enjoy!
Wallace Interviews Online
I.D. Magazine and Hiroshi Sugimoto
While reading this morning, I came across an Q&A article with Hiroshi Sugimoto from I.D. Magazine. After reading the article I wanted to acquaint myself with his photographs, so I went to his website. What beautiful images! I love the explanations of why he photographed the sometimes unusual things he did.
Frank Lloyd Wright: The Buildings
Hot on the heels of their last book, Frank Lloyd Wright: Mid-Century Modern comes another new FLW book by author Alan Hess and photographer Alan Weintraub. This new book, which will be released in October 21, 2008 is called Frank Lloyd Wright: The Buildings and will contain guest essays written by Kathryn Smith and David Delong.
Not sure what "Buildings" means the focus of the content of the book will be, but at least we can assume that Taliesin West will be included, since it graces the cover. It's also listed at 300 pages, so expect another hefty tome from team "Alan."
As soon as we get our copy at PrairieMod, we'll be sure to let readers know the building line-up included and if it's a "gotta have" or a "don't bother."
Image copyright Rizzoli
Design Matters
Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that I'm a total book junkie. I especially love (and amass large collections of) books on architecture and design. With all the books out there on these subjects, you can imagine that many become a bit repetitious and light on content (design books are especially guilty of this.) Well, I recently got 2 books that I've enjoyed so much for what they say as much as for their design, that I thought I'd share with everyone.
Two New FLW Books from the Princeton University Press
Princeton University Press has two fascinating books coming out in March:
The Essential Frank Lloyd Wright: Critical Writings on Architecture, Edited by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer -
Wright was perhaps the most influential and inspired architect of the twentieth century, and this is the only book that gathers all of his most significant essays, lectures, and articles on architecture. Bruce Pfeiffer includes each piece in its entirety to present the architect's writings as he originally intended them. Beginning early in Wright's career with "The Art and Craft of the Machine" in 1901, the book follows major themes through The Disappearing City, The Natural House, and many other writings, and ends with A Testament in 1957, published two years before his death. This volume is beautifully illustrated with original drawings and photographs, and is complemented by Pfeiffer's general introduction, which provides history and context. The Essential Frank Lloyd Wright is a must-have resource for architects and scholars and a delight for general readers.
Continue reading "Two New FLW Books from the Princeton University Press" »
Olof's Magnificent Seven
A recent article on SFGate.com highlights the career of San Francisco Bay area Organic Architect, Olof Dahlstrand. Olof who?
Mahony And Millikin: Read All About It
2007 has been a good year for Marion Mahony. Her memoir, The Magic of America, was finally published (in digital form on the web) for the world to read and now news has come of another important book published about her and her work.
Alden B. Dow: Midwestern Modern
A new book was released this week about the brilliant organic architect Alden Dow. The book is titled Midwestern Modern and was written by Diane Maddex. The book traces Alden Dow's life and work as well as the intensely personal philosophy that governed everything he did: houses, churches, schools, business and civic structures, and even a new town in Texas. Dow changed the face of his hometown of Midland, Michigan, leaving more than one hundred buildings, including his Home and Studio, a National Historic Landmark.
If you're interested, you can meet the author on October 23, 2007 during a book signing at the Grace Dow Memorial Library in Midland, MI from 4-6pm.
Image copyright Archetype Press
Dwell Magazine Podcast: Karim Rashid
While on a run this week, I popped a small back-log of Dwell Magazine podcasts on my iPhone (yes, I'm one of the folks who paid too much for this thing) and was loving some of the stuff I was hearing. A favorite edition was an interview with Karim Rashid, design guru at-large. You can check it here or listen to any one of the other great Dwell podcasts here.
Image Dwell.com
The Magic Of America Now Online
Finally! For all those who know and love the work of Marion Mahony Griffin, this is what you've been waiting for. The Art Institute of Chicago has worked very hard with the New York Historical Society to bring her memoirs, which she titled The Magic of America, to the world via the web. As described on the site:
The Magic of America, a typescript of over 1,400 pages with approximately 650 accompanying illustrations, was written and compiled by Marion Mahony Griffin (1871-1961), architect, designer, delineator, and artist. In 1911 she married Walter Burley Griffin (1876-1937), architect, landscape designer, and city planner. Their architectural practice spanned almost four decades on three continents, and The Magic of America was meant, in part, to be a testament to their life and work together. The Magic of America: Electronic Edition collates in a digital format all the texts and illustrations from the three known copies of the work. The electronic edition thus represents the most complete and accessible version currently available of this important architectural document.
This is a very important event for anyone interested in finding out more about the life and art of this truly amazing woman. To check out the website, follow this link. Enjoy!
Image copyright The Art Institute of Chicago
Save Taliesin By Reading!
We received word from former Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice, Earl Nisbet, about how PrairieMod readers could help save Taliesin. Mr. Nisbet has written a book that was intended to not only tell his unique story, but help save the beautiful Wisconsin Wright home and studio that is now very much in need of restoration. He writes:
"Would it be possible to let your readers know that the book "TALIESIN REFLECTIONS" WAS WRITTEN TO HELP SAVE TALIESIN, Frank Lloyd Wright's home in Spring Green, Wisconsin. It was on an endangered list and I am providing 100% of the proceeds to go to Taliesin Preservation, Inc. You may view a portion of the book on my web site. [www.earlnisbet.com] - Thank you for what you can do. Earl Nisbet - Aptos, California."
We got our copy when it first came out, and it's a wonderful read; filled with insights, photos and drawings from Earl's experiences at Taliesin. We highly recommend that if you're interested in the world of Wright and would like to do your part to preserve an American masterpiece, pick up your copy of Taliesin Reflections by following this link. Enjoy!
Photo copyright Earl Nisbet
Loving Frank On NPR
There's a new Frank Lloyd Wright book making the rounds in the media. Loving Frank is a fictionalized take on the relationship between Mamah Borthwick Cheney and Wright by author, Nancy Horan. There's been a lot written on the scandal and it's tragic aftermath, but this is the first novelization based on the actual events of the love affair. NPR's show, Morning Edition recently featured a discussion with Ms. Horan about her book and the influences behind it:
The author says her work of fiction was influenced by John Lloyd Wright's biography of his father, which showed another side of the famous architect.
"It was really his words that kind of gave me permission to imagine Frank as something more than a colossal egotist," Horan says. "And what he said about Mamah and about his father was that something in him died with her — a something that was loveable and gentle that I knew and loved in my father."
It's an interesting take on this difficult and complex subject from the life of Wright. We are waiting for our copy of Loving Frank to review it for ourselves---and our readers. In the meantime, check out the interview, read an excerpt from the book at NPR's website or pick-up a copy of the book for yourself.
Millikin Place Book
While attending the recent Walter Burley Griffin Society of America meeting held in Decatur, IL I got a sneak peek at the upcoming book that Professor Paul Kruty has written with Professor Paul Sprague about Millikin Place. It's touted as one of the most comprehensive books about this unique group of Prairie School buildings located in Central Illinois. The preview copy looked well-designed and full of great, never-before published photos. As soon as we get our hands on a copy, we'll be sure to review it for everyone! Stay tuned.
Photo copyright PrairieMod
Santiago Calatrava Complete Works 1979-2007
For those of you who are fans of Calatrava (I certainly am), Taschen has published his mid-career monograph. You can pick it up for about 125 bones.
The Taschen website has some excellent items that compliment the book like an excerpt from the book and a video interview with Santiago Calatrava himself.
I haven't picked this up yet, but it definitely is a book that we need to add to the PrairieMod library. His organic and kinetic structures are truly breath taking structures.
Image copyright Taschen
Wright Mid-Century Modernism
We are really looking forward to this one! Frank Lloyd Wright Mid Century Modern, the next book in Alan Hess and Alan Weintraub's phenomenal series of oversized and beautifully photographed Frank Lloyd Wright books. Due out in late October, it's sure to be as amazing as their other two books (FLW The Houses and FLW Prairie Houses.) We look forward to this much needed look at Wright the Modernist (some could say, the PrairieModernist!)
Pre-order your copy now and as soon as we hear anything more about this release, we'll let you know!
Google Book Search
If you haven't heard, Google has a beta search tool that allows you to view samples of books...some of which are out-of-print. I came across this via Hewn & Hammered. Check out some of your favorite topics or titles. For example, Frank Lloyd Wright, Green & Greene or a Palm Springs Weekend.
Image copyright 2006 Google
This "Happiness" Leads to Confusion
I recently finished reading a book whose title really caught my attention. The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton appeared at first to be a nice summation of many ideological points that the PrairieMod lifestyle is based around. However, after reading it, something left me feeling a little less than happy.
Richard Nickel's Chicago
If your still searching for that perfect holiday gift for the architecture buff on your list, then might I suggest the new book, Richard Nickel's Chicago. As described on the Prairie Avenue Bookshop site:
"Nickel is remembered for his brave and lonely stand to protect Chicago's significant buildings, and for his dramatic death in the rubble of the Stock Exchange Building. With this book, he will also be remembered for his photography. Erik Larson, the author of DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY, says 'Nickel's photographs must be seen by all, not so much to bemoan lost things, but to prevent such crimes against cityscape from ever occurring again.'"
Richard was instrumental in raising awareness to the plight of Chicago's wanton destruction of its architectural heritage in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Take some time to learn more about this remarkable man and this remarkable book, his story and art will continue to inspire for generations to come.
Image courtesy of pabook.com
Westcott House News
The PrairieMod Squad had the pleasure of a recent visit to the Burton J. Westcott House in Springfield, Ohio. We arrived at dusk and took some photos of the stunningly restored Frank Lloyd Wright home. Of particular note are the two giant urns in front of the house (the largest Wright designed) and the striking geometric birdhouse that was originally intended for the house, but finally added during restoration.
At a cost of 5.8 million dollars, Wright's only Prairie style home in Ohio was saved from being torn down and lost forever. People who visit can catch a glimpse of the restoration process in an 8 minute video that is shown before taking a tour. It is extremely well done and highlights the huge undertaking that was saving this house. If your interested in seeing this video, you'll soon be able to own a 30 minute extended version of it. We found out that the DVD will be available for purchase at their store and soon on their new website this December. There will also be a small book released with photos and text on the house; with a hardcover, coffee-table book to follow next year. If you haven't had a chance to visit this gem, we highly recommend you come out and see for yourself what makes this home an unforgettable experience!
Photos copyright PrairieMod
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